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Al Bastakiya is a historic
district in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Together with
Al Shindagha, Al Bastakiya is one of the oldest residential
areas in the city of Dubai. Al Bastakiya is named after the
Bastak region of Iran, from where many of the residents emigrated.
The emigrants are mostly Arabs that have migrated to Iran throughout
history, then moved back to Arabia later.[citation needed] The
locality lies along Dubai Creek and includes narrow lanes and
wind towers, as well as the Al Fahidi Fort, the oldest existing
building in Dubai.
The construction of Al Bastakiya dates back to the 1890s. In
its prime, the locality was capable of supporting 60 housing
units, most of which were separated by narrow, winding lanes.
Traditionally a stronghold of rich residents, the demographic
of the locality changed with the discovery of oil, which resulted
in many rich families relocating to other parts of the city.
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As a result, expatriate families moved into Al Bastakiya and
the Al Souk Al Kabir area (referred to as Meena bazaar by immigrant
residents).
A project aimed at restoring the locality's old buildings and
lanes was initiated by Dubai Municipality in 2005.
What makes Al Bastakiya unique is its architectures. The barjeel,
which is the wind tower, is in every house of Al Bastakiya.
The more barjeel each house has indicates the wealthier the
family is. Moreover, the door of the houses are related to cultural
behaviors for example the main door of the house is large where
as the inner door is short, and this is because when men entering
the house they should bend down not facing the ladies directly.
The old Bastakiya district with its narrow lanes and tall
wind-towers gives a tantalising glimpse of old Dubai. Immediately
to the east of Al Fahidi Fort is the largest concentration
of traditional courtyard houses with windtowers.
In the past, the city was famous for a mass of windtowers
which lined the Creek on either side. These were not merely
decorative; they were the only means of cooling houses in
the days before mains electricity.
Bastakiya is currently undergoing renovation and preservation
and will eventually become a small ‘tourist village’
with a museum, a cultural centre, restaurants and an art gallery. |
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